Stomach Cancer

New Hope Unlimited has found that many times symptoms may be improved and possibly reversed with our Alternative Stomach Cancer treatment.

Stomach cancer or gastric cancer usually starts in the inner lining of the stomach where cancer cells grow into a tumor. Symptoms and treatment options for gastric cancer may vary depending on where it begins. Commonly, stomach cancer begins in the mucosa, which is the innermost layer of the stomach that generates stomach acid and digestive enzymes.

Stomach cancer develops at a gradual pace over the course of many years. It can metastasize to other parts of the body and can spread to other organs and lymph nodes.

It’s important to note that stomach cancer is not synonymous to other cancer types that form in the different organs in the abdomen such as the colon, liver, pancreas, or small intestine.

Current estimates show that there will be 26,370 new cases of stomach cancer in 2016 and 10,730 are expected to pass away due to the said condition.

The stomach is a musculo-membranous structure joined by the esophagus and the duodenum or small intestines. The stomach is shaped like the letter J and it serves as a food reservoir and an initiator of the digestive process. The food is held in the stomach temporarily until the stomach lining secretes digestive juices that juices which act on the food to break it down chemically.

Stomach carcinomas can be grouped according to the total appearance:

• Protruding
• Penetrating
• Spreading

The different types of stomach cancer are:

● Adenocarcinoma – a type of gastric cancer that develops in the mucosa and accounts for 95% of stomach cancer.

● Lymphoma – a type of stomach cancer that begins in the lymph nodes on the stomach wall and accounts for about 4% of cases

● Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor – a type of gastric cancer that forms in the interstitial cells of Cajal or stomach wall. Some of them may turn out benign.

Stomach cancer used to be a top cause of cancer-related deaths, but the mortality rate of this cancer type has decreased beginning the late 30s. Possible reasons that contributed to the fewer incidences of gastric cancer are the advent of food refrigeration and the increased use of antibiotics.

Symptoms

While stomach cancer doesn’t usually manifest symptoms during its early stages, it still pays to be aware of the signs and symptoms that can be indicative of the disease such as:

● Unexplained weight loss
● Pain in the abdomen
● Indigestion
● Nausea
● Vomiting
● Anemia
● Appetite Loss
● Discomfort in the abdomen, typically above the navel
● Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food
● Swelling in the abdomen
● Difficulty swallowing
● Blood in the stool or dark bowel movement
● Jaundice or the yellowing of the skin and eyes
● Constipation and diarrhea

It’s important to note that some of the symptoms listed can indicate another health condition. To be completely sure about what these signs signify, seek medical attention as soon as you notice anything unusual with your body. This way, you can detect problems early on and receive appropriate treatment.

Risk Factors

The average risk for stomach cancer in a person’s lifetime is 1 in 11. The factors that can influence a person’s chances of incurring the disease are the following:

● Age – Older people are at more risk than younger individuals. Most cases are diagnosed among people who are between the ages of 60 and 80.

● Infection and Viruses – H. Plyori bacteria can trigger stomach cancer as it can cause inflammation and pave way for precancerous changes in the stomach. People with the condition are found to have a higher rate of H. Plyori in their stomach. In addition, H. Plyori can also lead to stomach lymphoma called MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma), which also increases your risk to stomach cancer. Being exposed to Epstein Barr virus also increases your risk of gastric cancer.

● Diet – A diet high in smoked and processed food, salted meat, and pickled vegetables can increase your chances of having stomach cancer.

● Medical conditions – Health problems such as hypertrophic gastropathy, pernicious anemia, inherited cancer syndromes, and common variable immune deficiency can make you more prone to developing stomach cancer.

● Occupation – If you work in coal, metal, and rubber industries, you are more at risk for stomach cancer.

● Family history – If you have a first-degree relative—a parent, sibling, or child—you have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with the disease.

● Blood type – People who have Type A blood are more likely to develop the condition, but the exact reason is still unclear and being researched.

● Obesity or being overweight – Excessive weight is a suspected cause of stomach cancer. Its link or relationship with the disease still needs to be examined and researched.

● Tobacco use – Smokers have twice the risk of stomach cancer as opposed to those who don’t use tobacco.

Prevention

Just like with other cancers, preventing stomach cancer has a lot to do with minimizing the risk factors you can control. Here are some of the ways.

● Maintain a healthy diet – A diet rich in smoked and salty foods are said to increase stomach cancer risk. Steer clear of those food items and increase your portions of fruits and vegetables every day. These food items have fiber and nutritious content that can help lessen your stomach cancer risk and aid you in maintaining an ideal weight.

● Treat stomach infections – When not addressed, infections can increase your chances of developing stomach cancer. That’s why you need to treat them right away and keep them at bay at all cost.

● Avoid smoking – Smoking doubles a person’s risk to gastric cancer. If you want to keep your stomach devoid of any cancer, wean yourself away from tobacco use as soon as possible.

Diagnostic Tests for Detection

There are several ways and procedures to detect stomach cancers in the body, these are:

Physical examination and medical history – During the consultation, you will be asked questions about your symptoms, risk factors, family history of stomach cancer, and other information about general health. If the initial assessment somehow indicates cancer, you may be referred to a specialist or recommended to undergo tests.

● Upper endoscopy – A procedure wherein an endoscope is passed down the person’s throat to see the esophagus, stomach, and parts of the small intestine.

● Endoscopic ultrasound – A procedure that uses sound waves to produce an image of the stomach.

● Biopsy – A procedure done to collect samples from the stomach and its other parts to determine whether what you have is cancer or not. This can be done during endoscopy.

● Upper gastrointestinal series – In this test, the person will drink a chalky solution that contains barium. This will coat the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine so that they will show up more clearly on the X-ray.

● MRI Scan – This imaging test is less commonly used to detect stomach cancer, but it can also create a clear visualization of what’s happening inside the body. It takes longer than CT scans.

● PET Scan – A procedure that detects cancer spread and location with the help of a radioactive substance injected in the veins.

● Chest X-Ray – An imaging test that help detect cancer that has spread to the lungs.

● Laparoscopy – A procedure usually done when cancer is already diagnosed. It is conducted to detect tumors that were possibly missed by other imaging tests. It can also be recommended prior a surgical procedure to make sure of the position of the cancer and to determine whether surgery is still the right course of action to remove cancer completely.

● Laboratory Test – Different kinds of laboratory exams can be prescribed in order to detect signs of stomach cancer. These include CBC to detect anemia and fecal occult blood test to detect any traces of blood in the stool that can be invisible in plain sight.

Being diagnosed with stomach or gastric cancer is not the end of the road. There is hope. With New Hope Unlimited, you have a choice. Over the years, our team found that your symptoms may improve and possibly be reversed with our alternative stomach cancer treatment. Please get in touch with us and let’s fight stomach cancer together.

Glossary

● Benign – a growth that’s not malignant or cancerous

● Common Variable Immunodeficiency – A type of common immunodeficiency among adults. It happens when there are not enough antibodies, making a person more prone to infection.

Story From Our Survivors

Laura Hilton

"New Hope empowered me and my husband through education and support to change our lives, making cancer an experience that made us stronger and better people ... I thank God we made the decision to go to New Hope. My husband Barry (now cancer free) & I highly recommend New Hope to patients and champions alike who are facing this modern day illness ..."